Laurence Wareing introduces the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and invites Reform readers to share how their local initiatives and campaigns contribute to the Big Picture

‘But what can I do?’ Or, to put it another way, ‘Can what I do make any difference?’

These are questions you may recognise, the very words you may have spoken, if you’ve turned on the news, read a paper, scrolled down your newsfeed of choice, or hung your head at the devastation of the latest storm to create havoc with your life or livelihood.

When the future of our environment, or international relations, or social cohesion appears to have been grasped by the power brokers with the loudest megaphones… When governments or their representatives are hesitant, cowed or, worse, uninterested in grasping the nettle in the face of global problems (think COP 27, 28, 29…), then yes, we may well ask ourselves, ‘But what can I do?’…

To share your story, email reform@urc.org.uk

Find out more about individual SDGs at un.org/sustainabledevelopment. If all the information seems a bit overwhelming, try starting with ‘SDG – Explainers’ in the Resources section. This also includes Fast Facts and excellent Infographics.

For more about the URC’s goals and initiatives, see ‘Become a greener church’
at bit.ly/4jZi9et

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This is an extract from an article published in the Issue 2 – 2025 edition of Reform

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